An alarming 32% of fourth grade students in the United States lack basic reading skills. Nearly a quarter of eighth graders suffer from the same limitations, and the upheaval in education spurred by the COVID-19 pandemic has only exacerbated these deficits.

The ability to read is essential to every individual’s potential for living a productive, fulfilling life. Everything we do—from nurturing personal relationships to pursuing careers—involves that foundational skill. Those who are inspired to help future generations develop fundamental abilities and who are equipped with the right training and credentials have the power to change many lives for the better. A master’s degree in literacy can be the first step on the path toward many rewarding careers that share that common goal. Let’s consider a few of them now.

Careers That Empower Literacy Majors to Change Lives

With a master’s degree in literacy, you can guide people of all ages who are learning to read for the first time or help non-English speakers master the language. Potential careers include:

  • Reading Interventionist
    Help elementary school students understand basics such as the alphabet, pronunciation, and syllables.
  • Literacy Coach
    Assist other educators in developing effective reading curricula for their students.
  • Educational Writer
    Develop class curricula and author textbooks, articles, reading guides, and the like.
  • TESOL Teacher
    Prepare children and adults to thrive in an English-speaking culture with thorough instruction in the language.
  • Reading Specialist
    Work with groups of schoolchildren to refine their reading abilities.

Whatever professional path you follow with your MA in literacy, you bring with you the power to fundamentally change lives for the better.

Choose A Degree With So Much to Offer

If sharing the priceless gift of reading is your passion, UT Permian Basin’s online Master of Arts in Literacy can help you fulfill it. Offered through our acclaimed College of Education, this 30-credit program is led by educators with more than three decades of combined experience working in the Texas public education system. With their guidance, you’ll hone the expertise to:

  • Work with fellow educators, parents, and mental health professionals to establish needs-based reading programs.
  • Determine students’ reading strengths and weaknesses and develop suitable plans to help struggling or at-risk students.
  • Offer district officials suggestions about ways to enhance the quality of reading and language arts instruction.

Review Our Program’s Considerable Accolades

Some of the most respected organizations in education have acknowledged our program for its exceptional quality:

  • Reading/Literacy Specialist Preparation Program nationally recognized by the International Literacy Association (ILA)
  • Nationally accredited by the prestigious Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)
  • State approved/accredited Accountability System for Educator Preparation (Texas Education Agency [TEA]/ASEP)

Start Your Degree With a Grant

Thanks to our association with the Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant program, you may qualify for a grant of up to $4,000 per year to put toward your UTPB master’s degree in literacy. Check here to determine if you may be eligible for a TEACH grant.

Experience the Advantages of Our Online Format

The online format of our literacy MA program provides tremendous flexibility for busy educators. Delivered asynchronously, our program enables you to complete coursework on your own schedule, around the work and personal responsibilities that require so much of your attention every day. What’s more, you can access all lectures, materials, and everything else from nearly anywhere on the planet. No campus visits are required.

Get the Most Out of Your Investment in Education

Earning a master’s degree is especially important for educators. However, that doesn’t mean the program requires an excessive investment of time and money. Take the recommended number of courses each semester and you can complete your MA in literacy in under two years. Our program is also affordable, with one of the most competitive tuition rates you can find from an accredited university of our standing.

Increase Your Earning Potential

Research published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) shows that master’s degree holders typically earn more than bachelor’s degree holders—a median amount of about 18%. The same BLS chart reveals that master’s degree holders are more likely to remain employed than those with undergraduate degrees alone.

Advance Your Career With Reading Specialist Certification

Our program was created to meet certain requirements of the Texas Education Agency (TEA) reading specialist certification. If you plan to pursue certification in Texas after graduating from your MA in literacy program, you’ll already be partway there. For reading specialist certification requirements in another state, please consult the appropriate agency for that state.

See what our online MA in literacy can do for your career—and how you can use it to transform the lives of others!